Triggerfish. A brightly coloured Mediterranean fish, more common in the southern Mediterranean than than the northern. It must be skinned before cooking as the skin is very tough.
Monkfish (US: angler fish). A fish with a sweet flavour and succulent firm flesh but with the ugliest appearance imaginable. It is found in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, in coastal waters of north western Europe. It can be recognised by its large head and fan-shaped fins. The fins and the operculum are spiny. It can be eaten fried or in soup. The larger fish often have better flavour. It has a hideous head, which is why it is usually displayed without it, and a muddy colour. It is known as the anglerfish as it bears on its head a 'rod' and 'lure' which attract its prey. The meat of the tail is sweet and succulent - almost like lobster meat, entirely compensating for is appearance. The flavour may well be assisted by its own diet which is high in shellfish. The best monkfish are Lophius piscatorius and the similar Lophius budegassa, the favourite of the Spanish. American monkfish or goosefish (Lophius americanus) is considered inferior, while New Zealand monkfish (Kathetostoma giganteum) is related to the stargazer and is only fit for soup.
Salema. A prime, bream-like, food fish found in warmer waters of the Atlantic, the Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Small hake. A long, slim member of the cod family. Although they can grow up to 1 meter (3 ft) in length, the average size now is about 30-50 cm (12-30 inches). They are found in temperate and cold waters. During the day they lurk on the bottom, but rise in the evenings to hunt for fish such as herring and mackerel. Can also describe salt cod.
A name in Galicia for an Atlantic atherine which has found its way into the Mediterranean. A marine fish, usually deep-fried, it is a small, silvery fish similar to the argentine. When tiny it is treated in the same way as whitebait. This fish grows up to 18 cm.
A name in Galicia for an Atlantic atherine which has found its way into the Mediterranean. A marine fish, usually deep-fried, it is a small, silvery fish similar to the argentine. When tiny it is treated in the same way as whitebait. This fish grows up to 18 cm.
